Effective strategies to help narrow a research topic

Topic Selection Topic selection is of the utmost importance in an argument essay.  The writer should focus on picking a topic that is current and relevant to society and can be argued logically.  It is best to avoid moral topics since they do not always support logical discussion. Additionally, any potential topic for an argument essay should be current, debatable, researchable, and manageable. 

Current A current topic is one that has not been over-debated and is still being decided by society.  Most writers and readers are sick of topics that have been debated for years: abortion, the death penalty, the legalization of marijuana, etc. 

Debatable A debatable topic is one that has differing viewpoints.  In other words, it is a controversial issue.  Writing about how child abuse has consequences for society is not debatable since no one would disagree with this thesis.  On the other hand, debating whether the common punishments for child abusers are effective or not in deterring crime is debatable and can make for an interesting and well supported essay. 

Researchable A researchable topic is one in which the writer can find a variety of credible and current sources.  In other words, the writer needs to be able to find a multitude of research performed by qualified individuals to support the overall argument.  

Manageable A manageable topic is one that can be successfully performed within the page requirements of the essay.  Writing about widespread issues such as national or global problems is often unmanageable in just a few pages.  To avoid this, most writers should begin with a basic subject and then try to narrow the subject down to a more appropriate level.  For example, if a writer is passionate about arguing for or against the Health Care Reform Act that was passed by Congress in 2010, he would be wise to narrow this topic.  It isn’t possible to argue for or against the entire law (the bill itself is over 2,000 pages long!), but it may be possible to argue for or against one portion of the law. 

Let’s see how this works with an example: eating disorders This topic is too broad (general) to write about in a short paper. We need to make it narrower (more specific).

Who? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Populations Age NEW TOPIC: Eating disorders in elderly females Gender Race or Ethnicity

What? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Types Anorexia NEW TOPIC: Anorexia in elderly females Bulimia Compulsive eating

When? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Timeframes Current or historical view NEW TOPIC: Bulimia in middle-aged females Period of life

Where? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Places States NEW TOPIC: Anorexia in Australian women Regions Countries

Why? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Evaluate Causes NEW TOPIC: Successful methods for treatment of compulsive eating Treatments Outcomes

Mix n’ Match Combine any number of elements that you derive from asking these questions until you find an interesting topic to research. Some examples: Causes and treatment of anorexia in college athletes Prevalence of bulimia in teen-age males in the United States Changes in treatment for compulsive overeaters, 1950-present.

Exercise Is the Question Too Broad or Too Narrow?

Question 1 Question A: What marketing strategies does the Coca-Cola company currently apply? Question B: What is the Coca-Cola company's future marketing plan? Question C: What marketing strategies has the Coca-Cola company used in the past?

Question 2 Question A: What impact has deregulation had on the airline industry? Question B: What percentage of commercial airline crashes was traced to negligent maintenance during the 10 years immediately preceding and following deregulation? Question C: What impact has deregulation had on commercial airline safety?

Question 3 Question A: How can adult children of alcoholics interact most positively with their alcoholic parents? Question B: How do adult children of alcoholics interact with their alcoholic parents? Question C: What is the major emotional reaction of adult children of alcoholics to their alcoholic parents?